77 23' Savage

[GetReel]

Good luck. Having gutted a 1975 IB which is basically the same setup, I can respond with some experience:

Tanks under aft deck, 2 @ 50 gals +/-. If original replace. Keep them for fabricator to use. They are in tight and you may want them to be made 1/2 shallower because the decks sometimes ride on them. Also moisture collects under them so get expoxy coated tanks.

Drain plug is where you found it, not easy to get to. I suggest a rear bilge pump also near shaft log.

Your shaft should be 1 and qtr inch, if original, could be an issue with new engine torque....

If you can afford it, get a new bob-tail fuel injected engine. Also check and make sure that the EFI engine has a "cooling pot" for the hot unspent fuel to return to...

Most trans are 1 and a half turn. By the time you find everything to replace, easier and perhaps cheaper to go all new. Also, this is a heavy boat and you may want the EFI to save fuel.

Original engines were mostly Ford 351's, mine came with it.

Good luck, great boat.